My reflections last night on manipulation of people with #fakenews #propaganda On seeing #mural I was struck by similarity with early 20thC graphics in fake Protocols of the Elders of Zion, used by many - including Hitler in Mein Kampf - to attack Jews. @mrjamesob
That got me thinking about another famous fake, the Zinoviev letter, used against Labour in 1924. It was published by Daily Mail 4 days before the election. Did that swing it? When MI5 found it was fake, they were too embarrassed to tell new Tory govt.
Then I thought about fantastic #JuliusCaesar I've just seen, where oratory is used cynically to sway people. This apposite production makes clear how the people (promenade audience) are pushed first one way then another by sophistry. Brilliant performances btw @NationalTheatre
Misinformation and manipulation of voters is not new, although the means available are now more varied. Sometimes it's hard to tell what is true. On the plus side, we can use our critical faculties, we have access to many resources. But it has always been a battle.
Sophistry? Barnstorming speeches? How to compare the cynical political manipulator's speech with those made by so many brave teenagers in Washington, like Emma Gonzalez? I suppose that if love is at their heart, they're probably good. #LoveTrumpsHate
Unroll please @threadreaderapp
